The State of Ransomware report for Q3 2025 highlights a stable yet high level of ransomware activity globally, with 85 active data leak sites (DLS) collectively listing 1,592 new victims. This figure is comparable to the previous quarter, indicating sustained threat levels. The ransomware ecosystem continues to evolve with increased fragmentation of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) operations, which complicates tracking and mitigation efforts. Notably, the Lockbit ransomware group has re-emerged as a prominent threat actor, suggesting shifts in the ransomware landscape and possible changes in tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). Although no new specific vulnerabilities or exploits are reported, the persistence of data leak sites and victim disclosures underscores ongoing risks to organizations’ confidentiality and availability. RaaS models lower the barrier to entry for attackers, enabling widespread exploitation without requiring advanced technical skills. The report does not specify affected software versions or patches, but the high number of victims implies that organizations across sectors remain vulnerable due to insufficient defenses or delayed incident response. The technical details emphasize the importance of monitoring data leak sites as indicators of compromise and understanding the evolving ransomware ecosystem to anticipate future threats.

For European organizations, the impact of this ransomware activity is significant. The high number of victims and active data leak sites indicate ongoing risks of data breaches, operational disruption, and reputational damage. Confidentiality is compromised through data exfiltration and public exposure on leak sites, while availability is affected by encryption of critical systems, potentially halting business operations. The fragmentation of RaaS increases the diversity of attack vectors and complicates defense strategies, requiring more sophisticated detection and response capabilities. European critical infrastructure, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing sectors are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on digital systems and the high value of their data. The persistent threat also increases regulatory and compliance risks under frameworks such as GDPR, which mandate timely breach notification and data protection. Additionally, the re-emergence of Lockbit suggests that known ransomware groups continue to adapt, potentially deploying new evasion techniques or targeting strategies that could exacerbate impacts. Overall, the threat poses a high risk to operational continuity, data privacy, and financial stability for European organizations.

European organizations should adopt a multi-layered and proactive approach to mitigate this ransomware threat. First, continuous monitoring of data leak sites and integration of threat intelligence feeds can provide early warning of potential compromises and emerging ransomware campaigns. Second, organizations must enforce strict network segmentation and least privilege access controls to limit lateral movement in case of infection. Third, regular and tested offline backups are essential to ensure rapid recovery without paying ransom. Fourth, endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions should be deployed to identify and contain ransomware behaviors promptly. Fifth, employee training focused on phishing and social engineering can reduce initial infection vectors. Sixth, incident response plans must be updated to address ransomware-specific scenarios, including coordination with law enforcement and legal counsel. Seventh, organizations should participate in information sharing communities to stay informed about evolving ransomware tactics and indicators. Finally, patch management should be prioritized even though no specific vulnerabilities are cited, as ransomware often exploits known weaknesses or misconfigurations. Tailoring these measures to sector-specific risks and compliance requirements will enhance resilience against this persistent ransomware threat.